That evening at a formal Council of War attended by the Russian generals, Kutúzov rejects Bennigsen’s proposal for a flanking attack the next day and orders the retreat of the army.
That evening at a formal Council of War attended by the Russian generals, Kutúzov rejects Bennigsen’s proposal for a flanking attack the next day and orders the retreat of the army.
Book 11, Chapter 4
That evening at a formal Council of War attended by the Russian generals, Kutúzov rejects Bennigsen’s proposal for a flanking attack the next day and orders the retreat of the army.
Summary:
In the evening there is a formal council of war. Bennigsen keeps everyone waiting to start the meeting for two hours while he finishes his dinner. Kutúzov sat apart in a dark corner. When he finally arrives, Bennigsen proposes Russia transfers it’s troops from the left to the right flank in order to attack the French the next day. Kutúzov rejects Bennigsen’s plan, saying that troop movements so near the enemy line are fraught with risk. Instead, Kutúzov orders the army to retreat, effectively yielding Moscow to the French. Kutúzov personally takes the responsibility for this decision, although he wonders to himself how things could have possibly reached this point. I did not expect this, said he to his adjutant Schneider when the latter came in late that night. I did not expect this! I did not think this would happen Kutúzov said.
quote from the chapter:
Gentlemen, said Kutúzov, I cannot approve of the count’s plan. Moving troops in close proximity to an enemy is always dangerous, and military history supports that view. For instance… Kutúzov seemed to reflect, searching for an example, then with a clear, naïve look at Bennigsen he added: Oh yes; take the battle of Friedland, which I think the count well remembers, and which was… not fully successful, only because our troops were rearranged too near the enemy…. There followed a momentary pause, which seemed very long to them all. The discussion recommenced, but pauses frequently occurred and they all felt that there was no more to be said. During one of these pauses Kutúzov heaved a deep sigh as if preparing to speak. They all looked at him. Well, gentlemen, I see that it is I who will have to pay for the broken crockery, said he, and rising slowly he moved to the table. Gentlemen, I have heard your views. Some of you will not agree with me. But I, he paused, by the authority entrusted to me by my Sovereign and country, order a retreat.
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